2016 boys' and girls' spring golf individuals and teams to watch

A look at area individuals and teams to watch on the golf course this spring.

Boys Golfers

Chris Cooksley, East Buchanan, Jr. — Tied for third at the 2015 Class 1A state tournament, following a state title as a freshman. Two-time Tri-Rivers Conference medalist. Averaged 75.86 for 18 holes.

Connor Herrmann, Mount Vernon, Sr. — Finished third at the Class 2A state meet the last two seasons. Three-time state qualifier. First-team all-Wamac. Ranked in the top-10 among 2A golfers, averaging 37 strokes per nine holes and 74.75 for 18.

Clayton Larsen, West Delaware, Sr. — Defending Wamac medalist. Class 3A state runner-up and 3A Player of the Year in 2014. First-team all-Wamac. Averaged 36 per nine holes, which tied for second-best in 3A.

Sam Sacquitne, Decorah, Sr. — Placed sixth at Class 3A state tournament and first-team all-state selection the last two seasons. Sectional medalist in 2015. NEIC runner-up in 2015 and co-medalist in 2014. Third in 3A with 72 18-hole average.

Logan Schweinefus, South Winneshiek, Sr. — Tied for third at 2015 Class 2A state tournament. Led 2A with 72.75 18-hole average and 35.75 per nine last season. First-team all-state by IHSGCA. Previous Upper Iowa Conference medalist.

Hunter Schulte, East Buchanan, Sr. — Two-time state competitor, tying for eighth last season and 10th as a sophomore. Averaged a little more than 40 strokes per nine and 78 for 18 holes.

Boys Teams

East Buchanan — The Bucs have posted two straight top state tournament finishes, placing second at the Class 1A tournament last year after fourth in 2014. Chris Cooksley, the 2014 state champ, was third last year, and Hunter Schulte earned his second top-10 result to lead the way. East Buchanan has the second-best four-player average. Jacob Hesner and Ryan Schmitt also return with state experience.

Mount Vernon — The Mustangs were second last season in Class 3A, following a third-place state finish in 2A the previous season. Four golfers return from last season's state squad, including Connor Herrmann, Tommy Hook and Drew Wolfe. Herrmann has finished third at state the last two years. Hook tied for 13th and Nick Lengwin also competed at state for the Mustangs, who have six total letterwinners back for another run.

South Winneshiek — The Warriors return four golfers from last year's squad that placed third overall. Logan Schweinefus is one of the state's top golfers and teammate Anthony Emmanuel joined him in the top 10 last year. They provide two low scores to go with Nathan Winter, who competed at the state meet as well. The Warriors have a deep roster to fill the other three spots.

Vinton-Shellsburg — The Wamac Conference is stacked with talented golf teams, including Mount Vernon, West Delaware, Williamsburg and DeWitt Central. Last season, the Vikings were a pleasant surprise, earning a team runner-up finish with strong balance. They return five solid starters, including second-team all-conference selections Tyler Stueck, Austin Bohnsack and Mike Delong. The Vikings have experience and will see if they can continue last year's success.

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Girls Golfers

Sierra Hargens, C.R. Kennedy, Sr. — First-team all-Mississippi Valley Conference Valley Division. First-team all-Metro selection. Signed to play golf at Indiana State University. Averaged about 41 strokes per nine holes.

Quinn Herbst, Western Dubuque, Jr. — Placed 12th at Class 4A state tournament a year ago, 10 spots better than 2014 finish. Two-time first-team all-Wamac performer. Three-time all-state pick. Led Bobcats in 9-hole (44.57) and 18-hole (91.17) averages.

Sarah Nacos, Washington, Iowa, So. — Captured Class 4A state title as a freshman, winning by seven strokes. Southeast Conference medalist. Held state's second-best scoring averages of 38.83 (nine) and 75 per 18 holes.

Sarah Overton, Iowa City High, Jr. — Placed 10th at the Class 5A state tournament. 2015 Mississippi Valley Conference Mississippi Division Player of the year. Three-time first-team all-conference performer. Two-time first-team all-state pick by Iowa High School Golf Coaches Association. Averaged 79.17 strokes per 18 holes.

Deanna Peiffer, Washington, Iowa, Sr. — Placed eighth at 2015 Class 4A state tournament. Southeast Conference runner-up. Averaged 43.57 for nine holes and 81.20 over 18.

Allison Ries, Monticello, Sr. — Tied for 10th at Class 3A state tournament. Second-team all-state selection. River Valley Conference champion. Seventh in 3A with an 85.75 18-hole average.

Lauren Tandy, Vinton-Shellsburg, Sr. — Qualified for the 2015 Class 4A state tournament, placing 11th. Second-team all-Wamac. Averaged 48 strokes per nine holes and less than 93 per 18 holes.

Girls Teams

Iowa City West — The Women of Troy have all the elements for another strong season. They return four players from last year's seventh-place state tournament team. Avery Kout, Mackenzi Marsh and Jordan Amelon were all first-team all-MVC Valley players for division runner-up West. The Women of Troy were dominant CRANDIC champions. Expect some similar results from West, which also has state participant Andrea Morgan to help solidify the lineup.

Monticello — The Panthers placed fifth at the Class 3A state meet and could improve on that accomplishment. Monticello has all-state performers Allison Ries and Darby Kramer to lead the way. Ries tied for 10th at the state meet, while Kramer was 17th. Ries and Kramer were River Valley Conference champion and runner-up, guiding the Panthers to the conference crown. Lauren Ries was an all-conference player as well and helps give Monticello a strong nucleus to build around this season.

Washington, Iowa — The Lady Demons are defending Class 4A team champions and boast the reigning individual champion, Sarah Nacos. Washington blew the field away last year, winning the team title by 24 strokes. The Southeast Conference champions also have Deanna Peiffer, who was eighth at state. Brenna Burlingame and Megan Strabala give the Lady Demons four starters with state experience.

South Winneshiek — All six players who played at the 2015 Class 2A state tournament return for the Warriors, who placed sixth. They return more than anyone in the field. Skyler Luzum and Jaden Schweinefus had top-20 finishes and are the top two scorers from last season. If the other players improve, South Winneshiek could have a shot for an even better finish.

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